Individual Consultant for Refugee Education Systems

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which was established in 195

• The mission of UNHCR is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. The organization operates in over 130 countries and employs approximately 18,000 staff members worldwide. UNHCR's work is guided by the principles of international protection and humanitarian assistance, focusing on providing support and solutions for those in need, particularly in the context of education for refugees.

Job Overview:
The position of Individual Consultant for Refugee Education Systems is focused on accelerating the transition of refugee education systems into national frameworks. This role is critical in supporting the UNHCR Education Strategy 2030 and the Global Compact on Refugees, which emphasize the importance of integrating refugees into national education systems. The consultant will be responsible for developing a global framework, evidence-based models, and a practical playbook that will guide UNHCR country operations, governments, and partners in planning and implementing the transition of refugee education systems. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders to analyze governance, management, cost, quality, and political economy factors that influence the transition process. This position requires a deep understanding of education systems, particularly in refugee contexts, and the ability to produce actionable recommendations based on thorough analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a range of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Conducting a desk review of existing literature related to refugee education systems and identifying key issues that require further exploration.
• Developing a detailed inception report that outlines the work plan, methodology, risk assessment, and conceptual framework for analyzing education systems in refugee contexts.
• Refining UNHCR’s typology of refugee education provision models to serve as a basis for analysis.
• Performing comprehensive analyses of the refugee parallel education systems and national public education systems in three selected countries, including data collection through field missions, remote interviews, and document analysis.
• Mapping key components of education systems, such as governance, financing, curriculum, teacher management, and infrastructure.
• Preparing frameworks for graphic modeling and guiding additional consultants in developing visual models.
• Developing tailored transition models for each country, outlining phased approaches and resource implications.
• Synthesizing findings from the analyses and preparing a final consultancy report summarizing the process, findings, and recommendations.
• Presenting final deliverables to the UNHCR Education Section and relevant stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Education, Public Policy, International Development, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field. Candidates must have a minimum of 12 years of professional experience in education system analysis, policy development, and strategic planning, with proven experience in education governance analysis. Demonstrated experience working in education during emergencies and protracted crises, particularly in refugee education, is essential. Candidates should have expertise in analyzing and comparing education systems, particularly in governance, public financing, teacher management, and curriculum. Familiarity with the work of UNHCR and the UN system is highly desirable. Technical skills required include exceptional analytical and research skills, strong understanding of data visualization principles, and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in relevant fields such as Education, Public Policy, International Development, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of education systems and the specific challenges faced in refugee contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 12 years of professional experience in education system analysis, policy development, and strategic planning. Candidates should have demonstrated experience working in education in emergency and protracted crisis contexts, with a strong preference for experience in refugee education. Proven expertise in analyzing education systems, particularly in governance, public financing, teacher management, and curriculum, is essential. Experience in conducting complex field research and developing actionable recommendations for policy and programming is also required.

Languages:
Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of another UN language, such as French, Arabic, or Spanish, is considered a strong asset and is desirable for effective communication in a diverse international environment.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, meaning that the consultant will work remotely. The contract type is individual consultancy, and the engagement type is lump-sum, where the contractor works on a well-defined product against an agreed lump-sum price. The assignment is expected to start as soon as possible and will continue until December 31, 202

• During the consultancy, three missions of 5–10 days are planned in non-high-risk duty stations, with exact destinations to be confirmed later. The position does not require a functional clearance and is classified as remote.